5 post-camp cut candidates the Panthers should monitor in 2022

Carolina Panthers should monitor Ty Summers

• Linebacker | Green Bay Packers

The Carolina Panthers seem content to move forward with a combination of Damien Wilson and Cory Littleton as their middle linebacker options in 2022. Luke Kuechly’s presence remains sorely missed following his shock retirement, so if the same complications emerge next season it’s going to become a weak link in no time at all.

Carolina acquired Brandon Smith at No. 120 overall in the draft to hopefully produce as the campaign goes on. If they feel more is needed initially, then looking at the status of Ty Summers when the time comes for cuts across the league could be worth its weight in gold.

Summers deserves credit for emerging from a seventh-round pick and carving out a career for himself. Although he was used sparingly on the Green Bay Packers defensive rotation in 2021, the TCU product remained a core special teams performer from start to finish.

Realistically speaking, Summers’ ceiling should be a similar role in 2022. Especially considering the Packers spent a first-round selection on former Georgia linebacker Quay Walker.

The Panthers value those lower down the pecking order making a difference on special teams. Summers already has a proven track record in this regard, so it would give this area of play a shot in the arm if nothing else.